Most people in fantasy football have their top ten linebackers set
in stone. Many owners are too used to the old ways when Ray Lewis
dominated and was never contested. I'm here to rattle the cages
of those people by giving them a healthy alternative to the obvious
top 5. Anthony Simmons, Kendrell Bell, and Keith Bullock are some
of these new comers who should prove to be the new elite class of
LB'S in the NFL.
Anthony Simmons
After two outstanding seasons big things were expected from Anthony
Simmons, but a tough ankle injury sidelined him for a majority
of the season. On thing is known for sure though when healthy
Simmons is a top LB in the NFL.
The addition of Ray Rhodes to the Seahawks coaching staff may
prove to be the biggest key in Simmons climbing the rank sheets.
Rhodes who fully well knows what do with fast LB's as witnessed
last year with the Denver Broncos, has planned to harness Simmons
biggest quality his speed. Simmons who has been clocked to run
the 40 in sub 4.5 time is expected to bring his game to another
level. Simmons definitely proved what a big factor he was to the
Seahawks defense after he returned for the final six games in
which he recorded 46 tackles 2 int's a sack and a forced fumble,
but these stats are not the only impressive feature of his comeback.
When Simmons returned the Seahawks dropped 17.5 yards a game off
of their rushing yards allowed average. With all of these impressive
stats and only great news coming out of camp Anthony Simmons should
reassert himself atop the upper echelon of LB's in football.
Kendrell Bell
Coming off of one the most productive rookie seasons ever Kendrell
Bell was expected to be the Steelers main defensive weapon. With
his speed and ability to rush the quarterback the Steelers wanted
to line up Bell on the outside in passing downs to take advantage
of strengths. All of these plans and expectations came to a sudden
halt when Bell suffered an ankle injury in the second preseason
game last summer. This injury truly showed what Bell meant to
the team after they couldn't stop anybody through the air.
Bell who was atop many fantasy LB rankings just could never seem
to get healthy after that devastating ankle sprain. With this
year just around the corner Bell has reportedly been working hard
on his new position in the dime defense. Working with two all
pros Joey Porter and Jason Gildon on outside pass rushing tactics
has excited not only the team but many fantasy owners. Bell who
admits it much different to rush from the end rather than up the
middle is meeting this task with all of his energy and has been
making steady improvements in this area of his game. With the
ankle injury in the past Bell is expecting at least the sort of
numbers we grew accustomed to his rookie year.
Keith Bullock
In his first year as a starter Keith Bullock was one of the Titans
biggest surprises. Bullock who before last year was hardly known
by Titans fans put up All-Pro quality numbers and has now cemented
himself as one of the most exciting LB's in the NFL. Bullock who
lead the Titans in tackles with 180 and had an assortment of big
plays, from knocking out Tommy Maddox to returning fumbles for
touchdowns Bullock seemed to be in the right place at the right
time.
Bullock who seemed to flourish in the 46 defense that the Titans
run is in the same position and in the same system. All of these
things bode well for Bullock who became the Titans most seasoned
LB after Randall Godfrey was a salary cap casualty. With another
year of experience under his belt Bullock should see a plethora
of opportunities to make the big plays that made him a fan favorite.
